HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

SULLIGENT, Ala. -- Like most high school football coaches, Josh Harper at South Lamar compiles statistics and videos to send to college recruiters, hoping a senior will get some attention and earn a football scholarship.
Once, however, he received an interesting question.
"When I put together the information and videos, I included the Sulligent game," said Harper, whose Stallions dropped a 48-7 decision to the Blue Devils on Oct. 28. "A couple of weeks later, one of the recruiters called me back. He said he liked the kid I was talking with him about from here.
"Then he asked me, 'Who's that No. 72?' I knew who he was talking about -- Tony Johnson."

SULLIGENT, Ala. -- Nothing is more important to Sulligent High School interim football coach Ronnie Hubbert than his players.
In his first time as a head football coach, Hubbert had to keep his squad focused when more things appeared to be happening off the field than on it.

Sam Doughty had plenty of reasons to lose confidence.
Whether it was lackluster free-throw shooting or the fact his Columbus High School boys basketball team was trying anything and everything to win its first game of the season, Doughty didn't lose focus.

The Columbus High School boys basketball team has a new fan in Judith Ross.
The Columbus resident was one of several people the Falcons helped Thursday morning as part of their annual effort to give back to the community.

Sammy Smith knows the win will come.
It would be a wonderful holiday present if the Columbus High School boys basketball team could deliver this weekend when it serves as one of the hosts to the 14th annual Joe Horne Christmas Classic.

MABEN -- The West Lowndes High School boys basketball team tried to use its quickness to overcome Aberdeen's height advantage Thursday night in the West Oktibbeha County High School Christmas Classic.
West Lowndes coach Roosevelt Bridges, however, found you can't coach height, as Aberdeen opened with an 11-0 run and went on to a 78-64 victory.

MILLPORT, Ala. -- South Lamar High School basketball coach Tony Seals is happy to see his "big guy" play well after a strong test earlier this week.
Ryan Jaynes scored 19 points and had 12 rebounds Monday against Sulligent. Seals, who coaches both the boys and girls teams at South Lamar, said Jaynes proved himself in the contest.

Assertive. Poised. Aggressive. Focused.
Those are all qualities coaches love to see in their point guards.
Coaches don't often get all of those traits in one player, so when they do they feel more than blessed.

CALEDONIA -- Yes ma'am, good things are happening for New Hope High School girls soccer.
If last season was a starting point, coach Mary Nagy hopes the Lady Trojans can keep building to bigger and better things.
New Hope did just that on a frigid Tuesday evening, getting goals from Reagan Hern and Maria Bergdal in a 2-0 victory against Caledonia.

STARKVILLE -- The pieces are starting to come together for Yandell Harris.
The Heritage Academy boys basketball coach has only been in charge for a month, but he has seen steady improvement -- and wins -- come from a team with just two seniors.